Pianist Christopher O'Riley will join the Tokyo String Quartet for a program of works by Haydn, Schumann and Joan Tower at 8 p.m. Monday. The same night, O'Riley will present his "reimaginings" of songs by the British rock band Radiohead at a postlude concert. Guitarist Christopher Parkening will mix Spanish, Latin American and modern pieces in his recital at 8 p.m. Thursday at Ravinia, Lake-Cook and Green Bay Roads, Highland Park; $30-$45, $10 (lawn); 847-266-5100.

They may not sell as many records, but the Seattle grunge-era band continues to put on galvanizing shows; Wednesday at United Center, $35, and Saturday at Alpine Valley Music Theatre, East Troy, Wis., $34-$38; 312-559-1212.

TASTE OF RANDOLPH STREET

The middle night of the three-day festival includes the rapidly ascending indie-rockers Spoon and a rare performance by Eleventh Dream Day, Saturday at 900 W. Randolph St.; $6-$10; www.jamfests.com.

NICK CAVE

With his retooled Bad Seeds, this master of rock drama tours behind one of his strongest albums, "Nocturama," Saturday at Chicago Theatre, 175 N. State St.; $29.50-$39.50; 312-902-1500.

-- Greg Kot

THEATER

JOURNEY'S END

R.C. Sherriff's World War I trench drama, set in a British officers' dugout about to be battered by the Germans, remains a hardy and satisfying ode to grace under pressure. The David Cromer-directed Senachai Theatre Company staging is modest but deft and atmospheric, especially well-acted in the smaller roles; through July 5 at Breadline Theatre, 1802 W. Berenice Ave.; $22; 773-878-3727.

KISS ME, KATE

Drury Lane Oakbrook manages a peppy rendition of the 1948 backstager about battling exes waging on- and offstage war in a musical version of "The Taming of the Shrew." Director Ray Frewen and choreographer Tammy Mader make the most of such Cole Porter pips as "Too Darn Hot" and "Tom, Dick or Harry"; through Aug. 10 at Drury Lane Oakbrook, 100 Drury Lane, Oakbrook Terrace; $19-$25; dinner and theater packages start at $38.75; 630-530-0111.

-- Michael Phillips

THINGS BEING WHAT THEY ARE

Despite (or maybe it's because of) its origin in a female mind, this funny, charming and moving play from Wendy MacLeod probes the vulnerabilities of heterosexual, middle-class, decaying maleness with such good humor, affection and incisive accuracy you'd swear it was penned by a moonlighting sportscaster from Cleveland; through June 29 at Steppenwolf Garage, 1626 N. Halsted St.; $12; 312-335-1650.